Villagers are celebrating victory after plans to build five giant wind turbines in the Vale countryside were scrapped.
More than two years of campaigning looks to have paid off after ScottishPower Renewables, the company behind the project, confirmed they would not be taking the Lenchwick planning application any further.
In January the power firm were refused planning permission by Wychavon District Council to build the 125 metre high turbines in Lenchwick near Evesham for a period of 25 years.
After the decision the company said they would look into the final planning report before deciding whether or not to appeal but last Thursday (July 21) they confirmed there would be no come back.
A spokesman for ScottishPower Renewables said: “Following extensive discussions with our planning specialists and legal team ScottishPower Renewables has decided against submitting an appeal for Lenchwick Windfarm.
“While we feel the Lenchwick development could make a considerable contribution to the regions limited renewable credentials, we have to consider every potential result and how our resources can be best utilised to assist the UK in reaching its renewable energy targets.”
When asked by the Observer for more explanation, ScottishPower Renewables declined to comment any further.
The decision has come as a great relief to many residents in the Lenches who have gone through a long battle to stop the turbines being built.
Rod Stroud, a resident and chairman of the action group Vale Villages Against Scottish Power (VVASP) said: “We are certainly very relieved. We have been campaigning this for two and a bit years now and the windfarm was not at an appropriate location.
“It’s a great sense of relief and common sense has prevailed. We assume now this will be the end of it and that is what we are hoping.
“I would like to thank Wychavon District Council and all of our supporters who have backed us all the way. It has been a tremendous effort.”
Karen Lumley MP for The Lenches said she was thrilled with the decision and pleased for the residents involved in fighting against the plans.
“I think this is excellent news and will go down as a great day for all the residents who fought so hard against it,” she said.
“Though I am in favour of windpower in general, that site was totally inappropriate for it.”

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